San Luis Obispo County, CA –San Luis Obispo County public libraries are again celebrating National Library Week by helping to fight hunger in our community. Food 4 Fines week takes place April 11 – 16 at all San Luis Obispo County Public Library branches. Each branch will accept one non-perishable food item in place of any overdue fine or hold fee that totals $1 or less. Other types of fees, such as those for lost or damaged items, are not included in the program. Food items will be donated to the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Last year this project brought in enough food to feed a family of four for 10 months.
“The number of times residents need to use the Food Bank has increased this year,” said Wendy Lewis, Associate Director of the Food Bank, “and 43% of the residents served are our County’s children. We’re very pleased to partner with our local libraries for the second time. Like the libraries, we depend on volunteers throughout the County to be able to provide the level of service needed in our communities and to run as efficiently as we do.”
Food donation barrels will be set up at each library branch, and all community members are encouraged to donate items. The Food Bank’s wish list includes canned or dry soup, canned vegetables and fruits, tuna and other canned meats, peanut butter, pasta, rice, beans, and cereal. They also have a need for disposable diapers.
About the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County:
40,000 San Luis Obispo County residents rely on the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County, which works through 190 local agencies. Their services include the following:
· Healthy Food for Local Families - In cooperation with 10 local schools, they provide enough food to share with siblings and parents, at the end of each week of classes, for those without enough food to make it through the weekend. This program makes a big difference in students being able to read and learn better in school.
· Senior Brown Bag Program - Seniors on low, fixed incomes receive a grocery bag of nutritious, nonperishable food and another full of fresh produce, bread and dairy products.
· USDA Commodities – This is the monthly distribution of nonperishable food from the USDA
combined with fresh products from local supermarkets.
· Harvest Bag—This South-County-based program provides 600 to 700 bags of fresh produce and non-perishable foods weekly.
In the picture above Brian Reynolds, Director of the San Luis Obispo Libraries, is asking the Girl Scouts about how they decided what to paint and various details of their process. What I found interesting is that each girl presented an idea on paper to their troop, and then the troop voted on what three designs they liked the most. The Girl Scout leader said there was no fighting or hurt feelings after the decisions were made and everyone joined in the painting of the murals.
After everyone was assembled and the award winning press photographer arrived, the unveiling took place. The mural is two panels each approximately 2 feet by 7 feet of fiber board painted with acrylic paint and mounted with mirror clips. Almost all items were donated as well as the installation that was donated by a licensed contractor. 
The beautiful mural of golden poppies (our state flower), native blue irises, and other wild flowers now graces the corner of the library in the children's area. Incidentally this corner was approved for a mural in a miniature make-over for this library about six months ago. The branch librarian (that would be me) was considering painting a floor-to-ceiling giraffe, elephant, and zebra mural to liven up the corner. The big problem, however, was the lack of funds for paint. I wondered if anything would ever come of it. So what a great gift the universe bestowed on San Miguel Library that warm spring day when the Girl Scout leader and her daughter, a Girl Scout, came in and proposed this mural idea. Less than a month transpired from that day to the reception. This was meant to be!
I want to thank Girl Scout Troop 914 and their leaders for this treasure and beautification project, and congratulate them on earning the Bronze award for their community service. 
